I am officially in the midst of my first truly uncomfortable symptom of pregnancy. Last week I began having round ligament pain. I stood up quickly from a sofa and nearly yelped out loud. The pain shot down my right side and left me doing the pregnant waddle for a good hour. It went away for most of the weekend, but returned yesterday and today. While it doesn't feel nice at all, it is a reassuring sign that my body is making room for baby to grow. All of the women in our birthing class seem to be having the same pains, and as they are all a few weeks ahead of me, my guess is that I'll be stuck with these pains for a while.
We get to find out the sex of the baby this Friday so stay tuned!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Call Me Crazy, but...
For some reason I have always wanted to have a natural childbirth. Even if it is just for the first one. Part of me just wants to say that I did it. Another reason is that, for me, few stories in the Bible are as clear as the story of Adam and Eve. God tells Eve that because she has sinned He will greatly increase her pains in childbirth and that with pain women will give birth to children. When I tell people this, most are downright rude and tell me that I'm crazy. I was even told that you don't get a gold star for having a baby naturally. I don't care how anyone else gave birth, with or without an epidural. At the end of the day you still did it and that is amazing. I just want to do it differently. I don't have a problem with epidurals and I may even have one someday, but I have only heard two good epidural birth stories.
That is another thing about being pregnant. People love to tell you their birth story. For the most part, I enjoy hearing them - both good and bad. I figure that if you can put your body through that kind of distress and live to tell the story then you deserve to shout it from the rooftops. Other than our mothers and grandmothers, I only have one friend who gave birth naturally. In my mind, her birth is one of the best stories I have heard. Other women tell me that they had an epidural that worked everywhere but where it was supposed to, or that the epidural wore off early and the doctors wouldn't give her any more. Could you imagine going from no pain at all directly to the worst pain that you have ever felt in your life? Then there is my friend who said she was flipping through magazines and listening to her iPod when she felt "some pressure" that happened to be a baby. She pushed for a half hour and voila.
Now I don't plan to just go in there unprepared and pop out a baby like a Gladiator. Paul and I attended our first of 12 birthing classes on Monday night. Paul wasn't too thrilled about going to a class once every 12 weeks, but I'm hoping he'll come around. We chose to go with the Bradley Method. Of the couples who take the course, about 86% have given birth naturally. I was really terrified of signing up for the class. I can say I want a natural birth all I want, but signing up for the class made it feel awfully real. Within the first hour of the first class, I knew this is what I wanted. The class covers everything from nutrition and exercise to relaxation and breastfeeding. Relaxation is the key to the method and while we have a lot to learn, I know that by the end I will not have a fear of giving birth. If nothing else, the method will teach me how to labor at home long enough that by the time I get to the hospital and I am screaming for an epidural it will be too late. :o)
That is another thing about being pregnant. People love to tell you their birth story. For the most part, I enjoy hearing them - both good and bad. I figure that if you can put your body through that kind of distress and live to tell the story then you deserve to shout it from the rooftops. Other than our mothers and grandmothers, I only have one friend who gave birth naturally. In my mind, her birth is one of the best stories I have heard. Other women tell me that they had an epidural that worked everywhere but where it was supposed to, or that the epidural wore off early and the doctors wouldn't give her any more. Could you imagine going from no pain at all directly to the worst pain that you have ever felt in your life? Then there is my friend who said she was flipping through magazines and listening to her iPod when she felt "some pressure" that happened to be a baby. She pushed for a half hour and voila.
Now I don't plan to just go in there unprepared and pop out a baby like a Gladiator. Paul and I attended our first of 12 birthing classes on Monday night. Paul wasn't too thrilled about going to a class once every 12 weeks, but I'm hoping he'll come around. We chose to go with the Bradley Method. Of the couples who take the course, about 86% have given birth naturally. I was really terrified of signing up for the class. I can say I want a natural birth all I want, but signing up for the class made it feel awfully real. Within the first hour of the first class, I knew this is what I wanted. The class covers everything from nutrition and exercise to relaxation and breastfeeding. Relaxation is the key to the method and while we have a lot to learn, I know that by the end I will not have a fear of giving birth. If nothing else, the method will teach me how to labor at home long enough that by the time I get to the hospital and I am screaming for an epidural it will be too late. :o)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Belly Button
Paul finally convinced me to remove my belly button ring. He wanted me to take it out because I was going to have a big pregnant belly soon and while he never said so, I think he thought it would be ugly. I wanted to take it out partly because it was a little trashy, but mostly because I definitely thought it would be ugly to have with a big pregnant belly. The problem has always been that ever since I got the darn thing five years ago in college, I have been terrified of taking it out. So for five years I have had the same eight dollar stainless steel bar in my belly button. I was right to be scared about taking it out. I tried for two days to unscrew it by myself. Finally, when Paul figured out what I was trying to do, he came at me with a pair of needle nose pliers and regular pliers. Aaah! It took him giggling and torturing me for ten minutes before he freed me from that silly ring. I will always have the fond memory of driving by the tattoo place and swinging in on a whim with my college roommate to voluntarily stick a needle through our belly buttons.
Now people ask if I think I will have a "turkey-timer" belly button. I can answer with almost 100% positivity that I will not, in fact, have a "turkey-timer." This is because I swear to this day that my belly button is an open orphus. You would need a flashlight and the jaws of life to see the end of my belly button. Of course, I could be wrong. Only time will tell.
Now people ask if I think I will have a "turkey-timer" belly button. I can answer with almost 100% positivity that I will not, in fact, have a "turkey-timer." This is because I swear to this day that my belly button is an open orphus. You would need a flashlight and the jaws of life to see the end of my belly button. Of course, I could be wrong. Only time will tell.
Lessons Learned
Here is my 18 week baby bump! It is right before bed and I'm not looking my best, but it gives you an idea.
Even before I was pregnant Paul has been interested in looking through the baby isles at Target and Meijer. Like I said, he has wanted a baby it seems like forever! For some reason, even now, I find myself skipping past the isles. At first it was like the baby wasn't real to me yet, but now I skip them because I want to know the sex of the baby before we enter. I have to be feverishly prepared for everything. It makes me wonder how I will adapt to this mommy business. Primarily, I learn one of two ways. Either I A. study relentlessly any book I can get my hands on or B. try it once on my own, screw it up beautifully, and never ever make that mistake again.
I anticipate that even the smallest tasks like changing a diaper will be some of the most interesting learning experiences. I can recall many years ago changing Oli's diaper. I made the terrible rookie mistake of removing the diaper and placing it next to Oli. While I was struggling to differentiate between the front and back of the diaper, something hit me smack dab between the middle of the eyes. I looked up at Oli just in time to see her grab a little turd from the diaper and chuck it at my head. I freaked out and whipped the diaper over to my side, effectively whipping turds all over the bedroom floor. Oli just laughed and laughed, but when I think back on the event it replays in my mind like a horror scene. Lesson? Never place the diaper next to the baby's head and, if you do, wrap it up first! Also, it is a good idea to figure out the front and back of the diaper before you are facing a bare butt.
People very generously offer to let soon-to-be mothers "practice" on their babies. I have been given the kind opportunity to change many diapers. The truth is, if you are pretty sure you are going to do something wrong and make the baby cry, it is much more comforting to do it without an audience.
I am pretty terrified of all of the things we will need to learn in raising our new baby. The knowledge of a thousand books probably couldn't compare to the first hand life experience of raising your first child. But at the end of the day I cannot wait to meet the little baby growing inside of me. I had the opportunity to hold and feed Andrew a couple of times this weekend. Starting down at his big, curious eyes I realized that it is hard to get tired of cuddling and cooing a baby. He is just so sweet and innocent. And how often do you get to feel like a hero just because you replaced a pacifier with a bottle? Okay, I guess Paul does give me that same look of gratification when I replace his empty beer can.
By the way, thank you to the Moore's & Walser's for coming to our Labor Day Party. Here are a few pics.
Kendra cleaned my kitchen as per usual.
Ave gave Lola a foot massage.
Played a little flip cup. Even baby and I played with water. This baby should be a natural someday.
Tay cheered for the bullies. She was so cute that we let her.
Even before I was pregnant Paul has been interested in looking through the baby isles at Target and Meijer. Like I said, he has wanted a baby it seems like forever! For some reason, even now, I find myself skipping past the isles. At first it was like the baby wasn't real to me yet, but now I skip them because I want to know the sex of the baby before we enter. I have to be feverishly prepared for everything. It makes me wonder how I will adapt to this mommy business. Primarily, I learn one of two ways. Either I A. study relentlessly any book I can get my hands on or B. try it once on my own, screw it up beautifully, and never ever make that mistake again.
I anticipate that even the smallest tasks like changing a diaper will be some of the most interesting learning experiences. I can recall many years ago changing Oli's diaper. I made the terrible rookie mistake of removing the diaper and placing it next to Oli. While I was struggling to differentiate between the front and back of the diaper, something hit me smack dab between the middle of the eyes. I looked up at Oli just in time to see her grab a little turd from the diaper and chuck it at my head. I freaked out and whipped the diaper over to my side, effectively whipping turds all over the bedroom floor. Oli just laughed and laughed, but when I think back on the event it replays in my mind like a horror scene. Lesson? Never place the diaper next to the baby's head and, if you do, wrap it up first! Also, it is a good idea to figure out the front and back of the diaper before you are facing a bare butt.
People very generously offer to let soon-to-be mothers "practice" on their babies. I have been given the kind opportunity to change many diapers. The truth is, if you are pretty sure you are going to do something wrong and make the baby cry, it is much more comforting to do it without an audience.
I am pretty terrified of all of the things we will need to learn in raising our new baby. The knowledge of a thousand books probably couldn't compare to the first hand life experience of raising your first child. But at the end of the day I cannot wait to meet the little baby growing inside of me. I had the opportunity to hold and feed Andrew a couple of times this weekend. Starting down at his big, curious eyes I realized that it is hard to get tired of cuddling and cooing a baby. He is just so sweet and innocent. And how often do you get to feel like a hero just because you replaced a pacifier with a bottle? Okay, I guess Paul does give me that same look of gratification when I replace his empty beer can.
By the way, thank you to the Moore's & Walser's for coming to our Labor Day Party. Here are a few pics.
Kendra cleaned my kitchen as per usual.
Ave gave Lola a foot massage.
Played a little flip cup. Even baby and I played with water. This baby should be a natural someday.
Tay cheered for the bullies. She was so cute that we let her.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
A First Time for Everything
The last two weeks have been full of "firsts" for me. The first and most shocking of these events occurred when I realized that I need (and I mean I literally need) some comfy shoes. It's true. Even a self proclaimed stiletto warrior could use a good pair of comfy shoes while pregnant. Mom and I hit the Outlets and scavenged our way through Easy Spirit and some other strange mom-shoe store I had never set foot in and finally settled on my first pair of cushioned wedges. Can you guess the comfy pair? (I admit that it's sort of a trick question. I didn't say guess the ugly shoes. Who do you think I am?)
While we were there we also hit up the maternity store and bought some new dress pants to accommodate my growing belly. Aaah that's better.
Another fun first is that Drew and Shantel asked us to be Andrew's Godparents. We are so thrilled. We have loved him so much the day that we found out Shantel was pregnant. He is the sweetest little guy!
Last weekend baby and I stood up (or stood out) in Kelly's wedding. We had a nice, relaxing day getting ready and I was feeling pretty good after hair and make up. I even felt pretty good when I put my dress on, that is until I looked in the mirror. People say there is an "awkward stage" of pregnancy when no stranger in his right mind would dare ask if you are expecting because you could just as easily just be chubby. There is no doubt that I am in that awkward stage. I tried sucking in my belly and covering it with my flowers as much as possible, but as the night rolled on I just let her loose and obnoxiously told everyone I met that I was kind of fat, but mostly pregnant. We had fun at the wedding, but I really overexerted myself. I danced to about half of the songs and we didn't get home until 2:00 am. When I woke up the next day I couldn't move a muscle I was so sore. I felt so bad and was so worried that I mostly just slept the whole day. I'll try to post some pictures when Kelly gets them back.
We had another doctor appointment today and the heartbeat was 145. I have gained four pounds, but it sure does feel like more. We had to meet with a different doctor because Dr. Avery was in a delivery. He was a crusty old guy and I wasn't a huge fan mostly because of a conversation we had about the baby kicking. He told me that I would probably feel the baby kicking soon, and I told him that I thought I could feel it as early as 14 weeks. He proceeded to tell me there was no way unless this was my second baby and I knew what to feel for. Maybe he is right, but since he is a man and has never had the honor of feeling a baby kick his belly, you would think that I would know what to feel for before he would, right? The truth is that the feeling I had at 14 weeks is the same feeling I still get only now it is stronger. I think it feels like a twitching or like someone is flicking my belly from the inside. Sometimes I feel it often and then other times I won't feel it for a few days. What else in the world would be flicking my uterus if not for a baby?
We scheduled our next ultrasound for October 2nd. That is our anniversary weekend and I can't think of a better gift than learning if our baby is a he or a she. I can hardly wait!
While we were there we also hit up the maternity store and bought some new dress pants to accommodate my growing belly. Aaah that's better.
Another fun first is that Drew and Shantel asked us to be Andrew's Godparents. We are so thrilled. We have loved him so much the day that we found out Shantel was pregnant. He is the sweetest little guy!
Last weekend baby and I stood up (or stood out) in Kelly's wedding. We had a nice, relaxing day getting ready and I was feeling pretty good after hair and make up. I even felt pretty good when I put my dress on, that is until I looked in the mirror. People say there is an "awkward stage" of pregnancy when no stranger in his right mind would dare ask if you are expecting because you could just as easily just be chubby. There is no doubt that I am in that awkward stage. I tried sucking in my belly and covering it with my flowers as much as possible, but as the night rolled on I just let her loose and obnoxiously told everyone I met that I was kind of fat, but mostly pregnant. We had fun at the wedding, but I really overexerted myself. I danced to about half of the songs and we didn't get home until 2:00 am. When I woke up the next day I couldn't move a muscle I was so sore. I felt so bad and was so worried that I mostly just slept the whole day. I'll try to post some pictures when Kelly gets them back.
We had another doctor appointment today and the heartbeat was 145. I have gained four pounds, but it sure does feel like more. We had to meet with a different doctor because Dr. Avery was in a delivery. He was a crusty old guy and I wasn't a huge fan mostly because of a conversation we had about the baby kicking. He told me that I would probably feel the baby kicking soon, and I told him that I thought I could feel it as early as 14 weeks. He proceeded to tell me there was no way unless this was my second baby and I knew what to feel for. Maybe he is right, but since he is a man and has never had the honor of feeling a baby kick his belly, you would think that I would know what to feel for before he would, right? The truth is that the feeling I had at 14 weeks is the same feeling I still get only now it is stronger. I think it feels like a twitching or like someone is flicking my belly from the inside. Sometimes I feel it often and then other times I won't feel it for a few days. What else in the world would be flicking my uterus if not for a baby?
We scheduled our next ultrasound for October 2nd. That is our anniversary weekend and I can't think of a better gift than learning if our baby is a he or a she. I can hardly wait!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
